Elegant Fresh Crab Cocktail
Indulge in the refreshing taste of our Elegant Fresh Crab Cocktail, an ideal dish for gatherings or special occasions. This delightful appetizer combines succulent Dungeness crab with a zingy homemade cocktail sauce made from ripe tomatoes, fresh horseradish, and a touch of Burgundy wine. Served atop a bed of crisp lettuce and garnished with vibrant lemon wedges, this dish promises to impress and satisfy seafood lovers. Perfect for warm summer evenings or festive celebrations, this recipe creates a coastal dining experience right at your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
2 cups (none)
Horseradish
2 tablespoons (freshly grated if available)
Burgundy Wine
2 tablespoons (optional)
Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Fresh Dungeness Crab
2 whole (cleaned and cracked)
Iceberg Lettuce
1 head (shredded)
Fresh Lemons
2 (quartered)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, horseradish, Burgundy wine (if using), lemon juice, pepper, and salt. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
2
Cover the cocktail sauce and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together and chill properly.
3
Prepare the Dungeness crab by cleaning and cracking it, ensuring the meat is easily accessible.
4
On a large serving platter, create a bed with shredded iceberg lettuce, providing a fresh and crunchy base.
5
Arrange the cracked crab pieces artistically on top of the lettuce.
6
Garnish with lemon quarters, adding a burst of color and citrus flair.
7
Serve the chilled cocktail sauce in a separate bowl, allowing guests to dip the crab delicately.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elegant Fresh Crab Cocktail?
It is a refreshing seafood appetizer featuring succulent Dungeness crab served with a homemade cocktail sauce on a bed of crisp lettuce.
What kind of crab is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for two whole fresh Dungeness crabs, cleaned and cracked.
What are the main ingredients in the homemade cocktail sauce?
The sauce is made from tomato sauce, horseradish, Burgundy wine, lemon juice, pepper, and salt.
How long should the cocktail sauce be refrigerated?
The sauce should be covered and refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to chill.
Is the Burgundy wine a mandatory ingredient?
No, the Burgundy wine is listed as an optional ingredient for the cocktail sauce.
What type of lettuce should be used as the base?
A head of shredded iceberg lettuce is recommended to provide a fresh and crunchy base.
How should the crab be prepared for serving?
The crab should be cleaned and cracked so that the meat is easily accessible for guests.
How is the dish garnished?
The cocktail is garnished with fresh lemon quarters for added color and citrus flavor.
How is the cocktail sauce served?
The chilled sauce should be served in a separate bowl, allowing guests to dip the crab pieces delicately.
Can I use bottled horseradish?
Yes, although freshly grated horseradish is suggested if available for a better flavor profile.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dish for gatherings, special occasions, or festive celebrations.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of tomato sauce.
What is the flavor profile of the sauce?
The sauce is described as zingy and refreshing, thanks to the combination of horseradish and fresh lemon juice.
How many lemons are required?
You will need 2 fresh lemons for quartering and an additional 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice for the sauce.
Is the crab served hot or cold?
The dish is served chilled, making it perfect for warm summer evenings.
How much horseradish should I add?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of horseradish.
What is the suggested presentation for the crab?
Arrange the cracked crab pieces artistically on top of the bed of shredded lettuce on a large serving platter.
Can I substitute the iceberg lettuce?
While iceberg is recommended for its crunch, you could use other crisp greens as a substitute.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy appetizer that focuses on fresh assembly and simple mixing.
How much salt and pepper are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Can this be prepared in advance?
The sauce must be prepared at least an hour in advance, and the crab can be cleaned ahead of time, but assembly is best done shortly before serving.
Is this dish gluten-free?
The primary ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but you should always check the labels on the tomato sauce and horseradish to be certain.
How many whole crabs are used?
This recipe utilizes 2 whole fresh Dungeness crabs.
Can I add more spice to the sauce?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of horseradish or pepper to suit your heat preference.
What kind of wine is Burgundy?
Burgundy is a dry red wine that adds depth to the cocktail sauce.
How do I serve the lemon quarters?
The lemon quarters should be used as a garnish on the platter alongside the crab.
Is the cocktail sauce spicy?
It has a zingy kick from the horseradish, but the intensity depends on the freshness of the horseradish used.
Can I use frozen crab?
Fresh Dungeness crab is recommended for the best flavor, but high-quality frozen and thawed crab can be used if fresh is unavailable.
What is the total count of ingredients?
There are 9 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
No, the specific calorie, fat, and carbohydrate counts are not provided in the source data.